The exact date and situation that saw the start of ‘mother’s day’, as against the religious ‘mothering day’, remains un-certain. Some put it down to an American invention and others link it to European events. Whatever the true link is, mother’s day in South Africa is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May.

Originally Mother’s Day was used by children to celebrate and give thanks to their mother for the love and care of the child. It was a highly personal family event where the child took over the role of the mother for the day. It has now become a commercialised holiday where gifts are given to the ‘lady of the home’.

These gifts include customised personal items given by the children of the family, corporate gifts given by company management to mothers within their organisation in recognition of the time spent away from their families in the line of commercial duties and even as promotional items given by companies to mothers in other spheres of work, such as customers, in recognition of their being mothers.

The gifts given can be selected from a multitude of product ranges. In the case of the child giving to a mother, these are usually very specific and personal.

In the case of corporate and promotional gifts the range of items selected by the promoter is usually broadly based – personalisation is difficult when giving out hundreds of gifts!

Gifts that can be branded and given out include:

• Mothers day mugs
  
• Mothers day clothing and clothing apparel - t-shirts, scarves, sports jackets, ladies umbrellas
  
• Mothers day picture frames [very popular are the new digital type] and other photo related products, , chocolates, books and key rings
  
• Mothers day office items – note books, mouse pads, pens
  
• Mothers day music – CD’s, iPods, sound equipment such a speakers for computers
  

The range is wide and is nearly all easily branded.